Why oh why is Neal always portrayed as a complete wuss in ff?
We KNOW that Neal is not a coward. He is constantly putting his life in danger to get information, evidence, or to help someone. He has been tazed, punched, shot at, ect. and he has not once burst into tears.
I mean, YEAH, Neal can be quite emotional at times. But, for the most part, his emotion is shown though anger/frustration or through the abscence of emotion. And with the exception of Kate exploding (hehe) and his not-so-mini-breakdown in Point Blank (which was also Kate related), he doesn't cry. He doesn't sniffle. He doesn't crawl to Peter for a hug. He doesn't dwell on the problem, he just finds a way to fix it.
So why is Neal always made out to be such a baby in ff? It's really rather annoying...
1/5/2011 . Edited 1/5/2011 #1 ReportI have noticed a tendency to portray Neal as much more of a wimp than anything I've seen on the show. He's definitely more emotional than Peter, but that emotion usually gets channeled as anger or determination. Does he complain now and then? Sure, about deviled ham, or being stuck in the van. But too many fan fics have him whining ad nauseum which is definitely not borne out by the episodes.
I'm willing to give him the breakdown at the end of Out of the Box - seeing the person you love get blown up is a pretty good reason. And even in Point Blank, where he's crying, it's in the privacy of his apartment. At that point I think he figures he may have just blown the best thing that ever happened to him.
He does NOT, however, break down or cry during assignments. And yeah, he's knowingly walked into the lion's den many times. He gets kidnapped, tased, and threatened with a gun by Wilkes, and he has opportunities to get away at the travel agency and the airport - but he sticks it out and plays Round 2 to save the hostage. He helps Peter break into the bank to stop Walker, even though they know there are at least 4 armed gunmen versus just the two of them - heck, he leads the way in, and goes after the robbers on his own when they leave. He gets guns pulled on him in Chinatown and does everything he can to protect the cover. He has the presence of mind to tap out Morse code when Pierce is threatening both him and June with a gun. He gets shot at at close range, with only the book of hours between him and a bullet, and still manages to finish the job. He keeps his cool at the Italian Embassy even after being double-crossed by Alex. He willingly gives up the breathing apparatus to Peter in the vault, putting his own life at risk because Peter has a gun and, therefore, a better chance to get them out of there.
Yeah, Neal is so definitely NOT a wimp in the show - so seeing him portrayed that way in fan fic is disappointing.
1/6/2011 #2 ReportYeah, I believe that Neal is not wimpy like they protray him on fanfics. On the show, Neal does not randomly break down and start crying or sobbing, or whimpering. That I know of, Neal does not whine excessively, sure he might make a few comments, but it makes the show all that much more funny. In the show, Neal is seen as a Suave, smooth conman eho is able to hide his emotions and put a happy front when needed. If he was weak, he wouldn't be the awesome conman that he is.
2/14/2011 #3 ReportThank you thank you thank you! This is the biggest thing that bothers me in reading ff. Neal is a funny, highly intelligent, uber brave individual and it physically pains me to see how a lot of writers reduce him to a gibbering pile of quivering goo. Once in a while is okay, because, hey, Neal's human too. But it's aggravating so see so much ff geared toward the overly emotional rather than writing some truly awesome capers with both Neal and Peter being their usual smart and charming selves.
Heh, I've been waiting to rant about this forever. Thanks!
3/5/2011 #4 ReportI just started reading WC FF, and I've noticed that trend as well. I think it has something to do with the whole father/son mentality that a lot of these fics try to portray. The authors make Neal seem vulnerable so that Peter can come rushing to comfort or rescue him. While I enjoy a good Neal whumpage, the whole "save me Peter! I can't save myself!" thing is wearing pretty thin.
Of course, it could also be a reflection of the authors themselves. I'm guessing that many of the guilty parties are high school age, and are missing the true depth of Neal's character.
8/26/2011 #6 ReportI agree and have wondered the same thing. It tends to be in hurt/comfert stories more.
3/10/2012 #7 ReportOkay, so I know that this is probably dead, but you guys have enlightened me. I'm writing a fic about Neal and Peter going camping...and wondering if I'm making him too complain-y.
8/19/2012 #8 ReportHard to say without seeing your story, of course, but there's nothing that says Neal can't or won't complain a little. He complains about the van frequently on the show, or about deviled ham. And camping? He'll rue the lack of silk pajamas and room service! But show me one instance in the series where Neal whines to the extent that it impacts a case. In short, he doesn't. Unfortunately, that doesn't hold true in a lot of fan fiction. Neal becomes a wimp whose complaints jeopardize cases, and lives. He's not a little kid, he's not a coward, and he's definitely not stupid. Impulsive at times, but not stupid.
So, Neal complaining once because the white wine isn't chilled on the camping trip could be humorous. Neal whining about it like a toddler who didn't get candy at the store is out of character.
Your best bet is to get a beta reader and ask for an honest opinion. Outside eyes can often pick up on things that we, as authors, miss in our own stories.
8/19/2012 #9 Report Reply 
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